Beverage Container with Double Straw

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for consuming beverages. One embodiment includes a first beverage container that can be removably attached to a second beverage container, each of the containers in fluid communication with a double straw, wherein the double straw includes a first straw and a second straw that are bonded together via a sleeve, the first straw inserted into the first beverage container and the second straw inserted into the second beverage container. Each of the beverage containers contains a different substance such that as a user draws the substances via the double straw, the substances do not mix until they are consumed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device for consuming beverages. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a beverage container that can be removably attached to another beverage container and a double straw for drinking two different liquids from the containers at the same time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of beverage containers exist in the art. Typically, these beverage containers comprise a single main compartment for holding one type of liquid or substance (i.e., beverage) therein, such as a water bottle. In this regard, consumers typically mix in additives (e.g., flavoring, syrup, sweetener, etc.) into the compartment for enhancing the beverage content.

Some beverage containers comprise a secondary compartment that is integral to the beverage container itself or that is integral to a cap or a lid of the beverage container, wherein the secondary compartment includes a second type of liquid, substance, or additive therein. For example, some beverage containers comprise infusers for holding tea bags, pieces of fruit, or herbs therein. Additionally, some beverage containers comprise a secondary compartment that can be burst open (e.g., squeezed or punctured) within the main compartment in order to release the second type of liquid into the main compartment. Thus, it is contemplated that the main compartment and the secondary compartment are in fluid communication. While these devices facilitate making of a beverage, they are limited in use with certain type of beverage containers. Additionally, existing devices combine two or more types of liquids or substances together before the mixed beverage is consumed. In this regard, the invention described herein addresses these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for making mixed beverages now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved device for consuming beverages.

The following discloses a simplified summary of the specification in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the specification nor delineate the scope of the specification. Its sole purpose is to disclose some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as to prelude to the more detailed description that is disclosed later.

Some embodiments of the instant invention include a first beverage container that can be removably attached to a second beverage container. The first beverage container includes an attachment means such as a loop for removably attaching to an upper portion of the second beverage container, wherein the second beverage container can be a bottle, a can, or other types of containers. Each of the containers includes a compartment or a cavity for holding liquid or substance therein. Preferably, each compartment holds a different liquid or substance so that the two different liquids or substances can mix together at a controlled rate or proportion to create a new liquid or beverage.

Each compartment is in fluid communication with a double straw, wherein the double straw includes a first straw and a second straw that are bond together via a sleeve. The first straw is inserted into the compartment of the first beverage container via a straw insert and the second straw is inserted into the compartment of the second beverage container via an opening of the second beverage container. In use, a user concurrently draws the liquids or substances from the two beverage containers using the double straw (i.e., by sucking on the double straw and/or squeezing on one or both beverage containers, thereby causing pressure and forcing the liquids or substances through the double straw and into the user's mouth). In some embodiments, the diameters of the cross sections of the first straw and the second straw differ so as to draw more liquid from one of the containers. Because the liquids or substances from the containers are drawn separately using the individual straws, the liquids are separated do not mix until they reach the user's mouth or as the liquids are consumed.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus that allows a user to store two different types of liquids separately until they are consumed.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus that comprises a first beverage container that can be removably attached to a second beverage container, each of the beverage container containing different types of liquids or substances therein.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus that enables a user to mix two different types of liquids or substances together as they are consumed.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus that comprises a double straw for drawing liquids from two separate containers concurrently.

It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a drinking apparatus that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and commensurate with durability.

In the light of the foregoing, these and other objective are accomplished in accordance of the principles of the present invention, wherein the novelty of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the beverage container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the beverage container of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the double straw of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of the double straw of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a transparent view of the present invention in use.

FIG. 6 shows a transparent view of another embodiment of the present invention in use.

FIG. 7 shows a close up top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a drinking apparatus. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the present device are described with references made to the above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to disclose concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Additionally, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” or “at least one” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. It is to be appreciated that determinations or inferences referenced throughout the subject specification can be practiced through the use of artificial intelligence techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown front and perspective views of the beverage container of the present invention, respectively. The container 100 comprises a body 103 having compartment 101, wherein the compartment 101 includes a defined interior volume for holding liquid therein. It is contemplated that the compartment 101 can hold a variety of liquid therein, such as flavoring, medication, syrup, concentrate, seasoning, sweetener, alcohol, and the like. In this regard, the interior of the compartment 101 is lined with waterproof or water-resistant material for storing various types of beverage, liquid, or substance. The body 103 comprises a flexible and/or an accordion-like construction such that it can expand slightly when the compartment 101 is filled with liquid or another type of substance.

The compartment 101 is biased toward the lower end 105 of the body 103. More particularly, the compartment 101 is closer to the lower end 105 of the body 103 than it is to the upper end 104 of the body 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment 101 spans between substantial midpoint of the body 103 and the lower end 105 thereof. The upper portion 106 of the compartment 101 comprises a straw insert 108, wherein the straw insert 108 can be punctured via a straw or a sharp object in order to provide access to the compartment 101. In some embodiments, the container 100 comprises a re-sealable opening such as a screw cap so that the container 100 can be reusable. The lower portion 105 of the compartment 101 is tapered to a point so as to draw liquid thereto when the container 100 is in an upright position (as shown in FIG. 1), enabling the user to consume all of the liquid within the compartment 101 via a straw when in use.

The body 103 further comprises an opening or a slit 102 that is biased toward the upper end 104 of the body 103, wherein the opening 102 can be elongated or substantially round in shape so as to create a loop. The opening 102 is configured to receive another beverage container therethrough. The upper end 104 of the body 103 can be rolled toward the lower end 105 of the body 103 so as to change the size of the opening 102. In this way, the length of the body 103 can also be manipulated to allow the container 100 to be used with other beverage containers (i.e., on which the container 100 is removably attached) of various sizes and shapes. In this regard, the upper portion of the body 103 comprises a pair of flexible metal skeletons 109 for preventing the upper end 104 of the body 103 from unrolling. The metal skeletons 109 can be embedded within the body 103 and be disposed near sides of the body 103. Alternatively, the body 103 of the container 100 is composed of a pliable material or a shape-memory material.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary embodiments of the double straw of the present invention. The double straw 200 comprises a first straw 201 and a second straw 202, wherein the two straws 201, 202 are held together via a sleeve 207 in a side-by-side configuration. Alternatively, the double straw 200 comprises a split straw having two channels. The first straw 201 comprises a first section 203 and a second section 204, each of the sections comprising a circular cross section with a diameter, wherein the diameter of the cross section of the first section 203 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cross section of the second section 204 so as to allow the second section 204 to extend in and out of the first section 203, making the first straw 201 telescopic in construction.

The first straw 201 is configured to be inserted into the compartment 101 of the container 100, i.e., through the straw insert 108 (FIGS. 1, 2). In this regard, the second section 204 comprises an angled tip for piercing through the straw insert 108 (FIGS. 1, 2). Additionally, each of the first section 203 and the second section 204 of the first straw 201 can comprise a nub or a protrusion so as to lock the first section 203 and the second section 204 in place and create a seal when the second section 204 is extended out of the first section 203.

The second straw 202 is configured to be inserted into a second beverage container (e.g., a bottle or a can) via the opening of the second beverage container. The second straw 202 further comprises a first section 205 and a second section 206, each of the sections comprising a circular cross section with a diameter, wherein the diameter of the cross section of the first section 205 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cross section of the second section 206 so as to allow the second section 206 to extend in and out of the first section 205, making the second straw 202 also telescopic in construction. Additionally, the diameter of the cross sections of the first and second sections 205, 206 of the second straw 202 is greater than the diameter of the cross sections of the first and second sections 203, 204 of the first straw 201 to enable the second straw 202 to draw more liquid than the first straw 201 when in use.

Additionally, each of the first section 205 and the second section 206 of the second straw 202 can comprise a nub or a protrusion so as to lock the first section 205 and the second section 206 in place and create a seal when the second section 206 is in an extended position. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the straws 201, 202 can comprise other suitable locking mechanisms for maintaining the straw lengths when in use.

The sleeve 207 holds the first straw 201 and the second straw 202 together. In this regard, the sleeve 207 may slide along the length of the two straws 201, 202, or the sleeve 207 may be fixed in place, via for example, adhesives, or molded or fused in place. The sleeve 207 is preferably located on the first sections 203, 205 of the straws 201, 202 and is biased toward the upper end of the straws 201, 202. The sleeve 207 preferably does not extend beyond the first sections 203, 205 of the first straw 201 and the second straw 202, respectively. In this way, the sleeve 207 does not interfere with the telescoping mechanism of the straws 201, 202. More specifically, the sleeve 207 does not prevent the second sections 204, 206 from extending in and out of the first sections 203, 205 of the straws 201, 202. Additionally, the sleeve 207 does not extend beyond the first sections 203, 205 to ensure that the sleeve 207 clears the container 100 and another beverage container on which the container 100 is attached.

In another embodiment, the sleeve 307 is affixed on the upper ends of the first sections 303, 306 of the first straw 301 and the second straw 302, respectively. In this regard, the upper ends of the first sections 303, 306 of the straws 301, 302 are flush with the upper end of the sleeve 307. In this way, the sleeve 307 and the straws 301, 302 are substantially unitary in structure and the two straws 301, 302 stay together in the user's mouth when in use.

Additionally, some embodiments of the straws 301, 302 comprise first 303, 305 sections and second sections 304, 306 joined together via an accordion-like, flexible portion, such that the straws 301, 302 are substantially unitary in structure. The flexible portion of the straws 301, 302 allow the straws 301, 302 to extend in length and bend in multiple directions. In such embodiment, the diameters of the cross sections of the first 303 section and the second section 304 are substantially equal; and the diameters of the cross sections of the first 305 section and the second section 306 are substantially equal.

Some embodiments of the first straws 201, 301 further comprise a screw-threaded lower end for rotatably attaching to the straw insert 108 (FIGS. 1, 2). In this regard, it is contemplated that the interior of the straw inserts 108 (FIGS. 1, 2) comprises a mating threaded surface for establishing a connection. Thus, the straw 201, 301 need not puncture the straw insert 108 (FIGS. 1, 2) of the container 100.

FIG. 5 shows a transparent view of the present invention in use with a bottle. The neck of the bottle 400 is inserted through the opening of the body of the container 100 so that the container 100 is removably attached to the bottle 400. The upper end 104 of the container 100 is draped around the neck of the bottle 400 and the container 100 hangs adjacent to the side of the bottle 400 on the exterior thereof. Additionally, the upper end 104 of the container 100 can be rolled to shorten the length of the container 100 and prevent the container 100 from extending beyond the lower end of the bottle 400.

The first straw 201 is in the compartment 101 of the container 100 and the second straw 202 is in the bottle 400. The first straw 201 is flexible so that it can be bent along the exterior surface of the bottle 400 and then meet the second straw 202 at the sleeve 207. The length of the first straw 201 can be shorter than the length of the second straw 202 such that the top of the two straws can be aligned while the bottom of the straws can reach the lower end of compartment 101 and the bottle 400, respectively. Alternatively, the first straw 201 and the second straw 202 can be equal in length and the first straw 201 can be adjusted in length (i.e., not fully extended) in order to accommodate the length of the container 100.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show views of another embodiment of the present invention in use with a can. The tab 501 of the can 500 is inserted through the opening 102 of the container such that the container 100 can hang on the side of the can 500. The upper end 104 of the container 100 can be rolled or folded to shorten the overall length of the container 100 and prevent the container 100 from dragging on a surface or extending below the lower end of the can 500. The container 100 can comprise metal skeletons and/or be composed of a pliable material or a shape-memory material to prevent the rolled or the folded portion of the upper end 104 of the container from easily unrolling or unfolding. It is noted that the container 100 can be composed of rigid materials, flexible materials, or any combination thereof. For example, a portion of the container 100 (e.g., the upper end 104) can be composed of a first material (e.g., a flexible material) and another portion of the container 100 can be composed of a second material.

Similar to the previous embodiment, the first straw 201 is in the compartment 101 of the container 100 and the second straw 202 is in the can 500. The first straw 201 bends along the exterior surface of the can 500 and meets the second straw 202 at the sleeve 207. As the liquids from the container 100 and the can 500 are drawn via the straws 201, 202, the liquids travel separately until they are consumed or until they reach the users mouth. In this regard, the liquids mix as they are consumed, not prior to consumption.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A beverage drinking apparatus, comprising:

a beverage container comprising a body having a compartment with a defined interior volume for storing a first substance therein;

said body comprising an opening that is configured to partially receive a second beverage container therethrough to removably attach said beverage container to said second beverage container storing a second substance therein;

a double straw comprising a first straw and a second straw;

said first straw inserted into said compartment and said second straw inserted into said second beverage container to consume said first substance and said second substance concurrently.

2. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said double straw further comprises a sleeve that holds said first straw and said second straw together.

3. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second beverage container is a bottle comprising a neck;

said opening of said body configured to receive said neck of said bottle therethrough.

4. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second beverage container is a can having a can tab;

said opening of said body configured to receive said can tab of said can therethrough.

5. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein a lower portion of said compartment is tapered.

6. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said compartment comprises a straw insert.

7. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of said body is configured to roll toward a lower portion of said body and remain in a rolled position in order to change a length of said body.

8. A beverage drinking apparatus, comprising:

a first beverage container comprising a body having an opening and a compartment with a defined interior volume for storing a first substance therein;

a second beverage container having a second substance therein;

a double straw comprising a first straw and a second straw;

said first straw inserted into said compartment and said second straw inserted into said second beverage container to consume said first substance and said second substance concurrently.

9. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein said double straw further comprises a sleeve that holds said first straw and said second straw together.

10. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein said second beverage container is a bottle comprising a neck;

said opening of said body configured to receive said neck of said bottle therethrough.

11. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein said second beverage container is a can having a can tab;

said opening of said body configured to receive said can tab of said can therethrough.

12. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein a lower portion of said compartment is tapered.

13. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein said compartment comprises a straw insert.

14. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 8, wherein an upper portion of said body is configured to roll toward a lower portion of said body and remain in a rolled position in order to change a length of said body.

15. A beverage drinking apparatus, comprising:

a double straw comprising a first straw and a second straw;

a sleeve holding said first straw and said second straw in a side-by-side configuration;

said first straw configured to be inserted into a compartment of a first beverage container having a first substance and said second straw configured to be inserted into a second beverage container having a second substance to consume said first substance and said second substance concurrently.

16. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of said first straw and said second straw is telescopic.

17. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first straw comprises an angled lower tip.

18. The beverage drinking apparatus of claim 15, wherein said sleeve is located at an upper end of said first straw and said second straw.